Question

select the correct answer.

which line from the text reveals the contrast between valentine and proteus that develops the theme of the passage?

in the full warmth of his generous heart, valentine lavished praises of his friend to the duke of milan and to silvia, and for the sake of the love she bore to valentine silvia gave proteus a hearty welcome.

he told proteus that, unknown to the duke, her father, silvia and he were betrothed-nay, more, that the hour of their marriage and the method of their flight were already arranged.

he suspected there was some love between silvia and valentine, and saw many little things when they thought him blind.

valentine had spoken many wise words to proteus on the folly of being in love, but he had not been long in milan before he was in just the same sad plight that he had cautioned his friend against.

Explanation:

Analyze the character traits of Valentine and Proteus

Valentine is depicted as open, trusting, and generous, as he "lavished praises of his friend" and shared his secret plans. In contrast, Proteus is secretive, observant, and calculating, as shown by his suspicion and silent observation of the lovers ("He suspected there was some love... and saw many little things when they thought him blind").

Identify the contrast that develops the theme

The theme of betrayal and the fragility of friendship in the face of romantic desire is developed through the contrast between Valentine's blind trust and Proteus's growing suspicion and eventual betrayal. The line showing Proteus's suspicion highlights this divergence in their characters.

Evaluate the given options

• Option 1 highlights Valentine's generosity and Silvia's welcome, showing only Valentine's positive disposition.
• Option 2 shows Valentine's complete trust in sharing his secret plans with Proteus.
• Option 3 reveals Proteus's internal suspicion and watchful nature ("thought him blind"), directly contrasting Valentine's open trust and setting up the betrayal.
• Option 4 describes Valentine's change of heart regarding love, which parallels Proteus's situation but does not contrast their characters to develop the theme of betrayal.

Answer:

• (A) In the full warmth of his generous heart, Valentine lavished praises of his friend to the Duke of Milan and to Silvia, and for the sake of the love she bore to Valentine Silvia gave Proteus a hearty welcome.
• (B) He told Proteus that, unknown to the Duke, her father, Silvia and he were betrothed—nay, more, that the hour of their marriage and the method of their flight were already arranged.
• (C) He suspected there was some love between Silvia and Valentine, and saw many little things when they thought him blind. (Correct answer)
• (D) Valentine had spoken many wise words to Proteus on the folly of being in love, but he had not been long in Milan before he was in just the same sad plight that he had cautioned his friend against.